[WAY - OT] Setting up a Home Gym

[Utrecht]

Well, I do have to defend myself somewhat here........

I am not terribly overwieght (6 ft - 180 lbs) - just don't do enough excercise - and don't get me wrong - if I can spend less, I will spend less.

That being said, the reason that I am looking at a home gym (and all of the suggestions of running/biking are good - I have just gotten the mountain bike down out of the garage and am tuning it up......) but I am also looking at something that I can do during the winter - it is much easier to motivate yourself to go into the basement than to deal with 10 F weather........

Limper,

Everything that I have heard is to go the free weight method so that you can simply by the weight as you graduate...... Do you have any recommendations on brands of benches (Ideally one with leg curls on it)?

Bagpuss Cool huh!!!! 1 Room for gaming and a basement for excercise equipment - that does not include the other room my wife has for sewing (and she want to try D&D).... I guess this is what working for Nortel can get you - assuming you survice the layoffs....

 

[Limper]

I'd just price them at the nearest Walmart and sports store, see what you can bring yourself to spend. Also check flea markets rumage sales and your local papers classifieds. Many people purchase home fitness equipment find it involves work and sell it in these locations a few months latter.

My personal bench is so old I can't read the manufacturer any longer. I think it was Dynmics?

Don't be to insulted by the English they're just jealous of us Yanks and our roomy homes and general affluence.

Having been there its not much easier to motivate into your basement than out into the cold.

 

[Flinx]

For lowering cholesterol, I suggest changing your diet as well as getting more exercise. For me, that's always the hardest part.

As far as working out in your basement, somebody already suggested getting a jump rope for the cardio workout along with the weight bench. Just remember to start out easy and work your way up. Don't hurt yourself by doing too much too fast. That will discourage you from working out in a hurry.

Finally, if you want to work out during winter, there are a lot of indoor activities that you can do. Find something that you think is fun and would enjoy doing. Maybe there's a gym with an indoor basketball court where you can get some pick-up games (maybe the Y). Also, I find martial arts classes fun and good exercise. Good teachers will make sure you exercise according to your own level so you don't get hurt. Look around to different schools to find a style you like and that suits you. Gotta go now. I'm late for my martial arts class.

 

[Mystic Eye]

Great topic

Utrecht,

Wow, I am very glad this topic started. I have seen a ton of great advice here and it is good to know some of our fellow gamers are concerned about their physical health.

I understand your problem. Five years ago or so I was in terrible shape, like you I was overweight but not rediculously so. I got the same report from my doctor.

I took it seriously and entered a competition called Body for Life. My wife even joined me and we went into it as a couple. We did not win that year but were in the top five percent of all those who entered (50,000 people). We went on to help coach others who were struggling with health and weight issues. Actually, 20 some folks each year.

Today, I have no cholesterol issues, I went from a 35 inch waist to a 30 inch waist, I have a very low body fat percentage and know exactly how to get to these goals both quickly and safely.

Everyone has had good advice but regardless of being marginally overweight or not you will need to alter your eating habbits. You will note I did not say alter your diet.

If you want some serious help with this from both a nutritional aspect as well as how to excercise (build your home gym) and motivation I would be happy to help. The only payment I ask in return is commitment.

I have been considering opening up a site for my gamer friends and associates to help them with this sort of thing but life gets busy. I still have this plan in my head.

Well, if you want the help drop me a line and I can help you to achieve a completely new lifestyle in about 12 weeks or so.

 

[Zhure]

Before you shell out a lot of money at a stor for a weight bench, look at the local Goodwill, Salvation Army or similar resale place. For years I purchased exercise equipment there at about 2% of buying new. (I bought a $15 stairmaster.)

If you don't find what you want there, try finding a used sporting goods place. I bought a complete "rubber band" system for under $100.

Greg "Looks like a half-orc"

 

[mmadsen]

You most certainly do not need to spend $1000 for basic workout equipment. You can go quite far with a 40-lb adjustable dumbell set for ~US$30: two 5-lb handles, 4 5-lb plates, 4 2.5-lb plates.

With that, you can have a single dumbbell up to 35 lbs, or a pair of dumbbells up to 20 lbs each. You'll want to use a different weight for each exercise, and you can buy more weight as you get stronger.

You can put together a routine like:

Squats or Lunges (weight in hands)
Push-Ups (many variations)
Overhead Press or Hang Clean & Press
One-Arm Row (off a chair, couch, or bed)
Curls (or Chin-Ups if you can find a bar)
Calf Raises (off stairs)
Sit-Ups (weight on chest)

 

[LostSoul]

I love skipping rope at home.

I'd also suggest joining a "rec-league" sport. You can meet great people and get in some exercise while you're at it. Now that spring's here, I recommend soccer (good co-ed sport).

 

[Utrecht]

All,

Thanks for the advice - I had actually not considered thrift stores or the paper..... so I will most definately do that (and you have convinced me that my budget can be much lower...... which means I can pick up more d20 stuff )

Actually, I am really taking the Doctor's admonishment as an opportunity to restructure my life - eating right, excercising, doing yoga for flexability - as well as kind of a personal philisophy of doing 10% more....

So I am going to try and put 10% more effort into everything that I do - so I will stop procrastinatign and finally get our will written out, set up the colledge funds for the kids - do work around the house instead of watching TV when I get home......

Hopefully, I will be able to muster the self-will to keep it going - and I will certainly keep you up to date.

 

[mmadsen]

So I am going to try and put 10% more effort into everything that I do - so I will stop procrastinatign and finally get our will written out, set up the colledge funds for the kids - do work around the house instead of watching TV when I get home...

That last one can go a long way toward changing your life. Pick out the handful of shows you really watch, turn on the TV to watch them, then turn it off immediately afterwards. If you cut out the channel surfing, you'll find a lot of time for Real Life.

Now go buy those dumbbells!

 

[Thorntangle]

Some people have already said it, I'll reemphasize it: diet is key. Exercize is so very important, but the most crucial factor in preventing heart disease is diet.

Marathoner Jim Fixx died young of heart attack. He had high cholesterol.

Talk to your doctor about some of the current research out there by doctors like Dean Ornish (combo diet, exercise, Relaxation/support). Consider the benefits of a diet with none of the dangers of saturated fat from meat or dairy (cuts your risk of heart disease from 50% to 5%).

Tell your wife you need to be good to yourself and get a masseuse on call


edited: poor spelling.